Crusts and Collisions

Location Name: BNSF Avalanche Safety - Running Rabbit Mtn. GNP Observation date: Thursday, December 31, 2020 - 12:15	Is this an Avalanche Observation: No

Observation made by: Public

Tabs

Quick Observation

Toured up the Shed 10.7/11 ridge to the Shed 11 weather station at 6400’ elevation, then further up to 7200’ and the upper starting zone of Path 1163.
Descended the ascent route.
Objectives were to assess snowpack stability with close attention to the Dec. 9th and 22nd crusts, obtain a snow pit profile in Path 1163, and check on the weather station.

No avalanche activity observed aside from some mini-slabs ski-triggered on test slopes.

Overnight snowfall totals were about 2-3” on the Canyon floor and 3-4” above 6000’ elevation.
Recent wind-loading from light/moderate westerlies had formed some thin, fresh wind slabs on leeward aspects above 5000’.
On small test slopes above 5000’, was able to trigger some shooting cracks and small slabs on a thin layer of facets on top the Dec 22nd crust (photo). Also had one audible collapse at 6000’ and assume this also occurred on the Dec 22 crust/facet layers.
Re-visited the Shed 11 snowpit site at 6400’, HS=32”. Dec 9th crust buried 20” down and not propagating with ECT. ECTP3 x2 on the facets on top Dec 22nd crust, buried about 10” down.
Dec 22nd crust thins out and disappears around 6800’.
Snowpit profile in Path 1163 conducted at 7200’ on a southeasterly aspect and a rocky location with a shallower snowpack, HS=40”. No propagating failures with ECT (see pit profile for more details).

Skies mostly obscured by fog above 6000’.
Light snow coming down as on-again/off-again showers with trace accumulations over the day at upper elevations.
Light westerly winds with moderate gusts above 5000’.
Daytime high air temperatures warmed to just above freezing on the Canyon Floor and up to the mid-20s/ high teens °F at elevations above 6000’.

Snowpack, Avalanche, Weather Images:

Travel Details

Region:

Flathead Range/Glacier National Park - John F. Stevens Canyon

Activity:

Skiing